State executes Rogers County man nearly 20 years after conviction

MCALESTER, Okla. — The State of Oklahoma executed Benjamin Cole Thursday.

Cole was convicted in 2004 of killing his infant daughter in Rogers County in 2002.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted against recommending clemency during a hearing last month. Cole’s attorney’s argued that the death row inmate was mostly catatonic and suffered from severe mental illnesses.

The Supreme Court also denied a stay of execution earlier this week.

The State of Oklahoma said Cole’s execution was carried out without complications. His time of death was 10:22 a.m.

“Justice is now served for Brianna Cole and the people of Oklahoma. Nothing can fill the void experienced by the loss of a loved one and this does not bring Brianna back to her family. Our hearts and prayers are with them,” said Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor.

Cole’s attorney, Tom Hird, said in statement that Cole had a serious mental illness that went untreated for many years.

“It is unconscionable that the State denied Ben a competency trial. Ben lacked a rational understanding of why Oklahoma took his life today. As Oklahoma proceeds with its relentless march to execute one mentally ill, traumatized man after another, we should pause to ask whether this is really who we are, and who we want to be.”

Cole did not request a last meal. He received the scheduled facility religious meal of vegetarian lasagna, salad with dressing, a tortilla and a fruit drink packet.

Cole’s execution is the sixth since Oklahoma resumed executions in Oct. 2021, and the fourth execution in 2022.

Oklahoma death row inmates Richard Fairchild, Richard Glossip and John Hanson are expected to be executed before the end of the year.

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